Unearthing the Importance of the Life-Sized Terracotta Warriors

The Terracotta Army or the “Terra Cotta Warriors and Horses” buried in the pits next to the Qin Shi Huang’s tomb, Xi’an China (Photo: Cezary Wojtkowski via Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo)

Today, the unexpected unearthing of the Terracotta Army—a hoard of legendary, life-sized clay soldiers intended to fill an emperor’s elaborate mausoleum—is renowned as one of the world’s greatest archaeological events. Discovered in northwestern China and dating back to its first dynasty, the ceramic figures have shed light on the country’s ancient artistic practices and age-old burial rituals.

In addition to offering a glimpse into Imperial China’s distinctive approach to funerary art, the sculptures are also celebrated for their scale—both in terms of each individual sculpture’s height and of the group as a whole.

Here, we present the history of the Terracotta Army, including its creation in the third century BCE, discovery in the 1970s, and its legacy in contemporary culture.

The Terracotta Warriors of the famous Terracotta Army inside the Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum of the First Emperor of China (Photo: Pheniti Prasomphethiran via Shutterstock Royalty-free stock photo)

History

In 246 BCE, Qin Shi Huang, China’s first emperor, took the throne at just thirteen years old. As ruler of the first Imperial Empire, he is credited with several accomplishments, including standardized scripts and coins, the construction of the Great Wall, and the overall expansion and unification of the state.

To celebrate his triumphs and memorialize his life, he ordered the construction of a necropolis in Xi’an, a region dotted with jade mines and rich in gold. He envisioned a complex mausoleum filled with his precious earthly possessions—including rare jewels and architectural models—as well as thousands of specially-made terracotta soldiers to protect him in the afterlife.

Though 7,000 laborers dedicated decades to constructing the over-the-top tomb and necropolis, the site was left unfinished when Qin died in 210 BCE.

Discovery

For centuries, Qin Shi Huang’s massive mausoleum remained undetected. However, in 1974, workers stumbled upon a large sculpture of a terracotta warrior while digging a well. Prompted by this surprising find, archaeologists began to explore the area, resulting in the discovery of thousands of similar soldiers in four pits.

Designed with an impressive level of detail, each figure is a one-of-a-kind work of art. The life-sized sculptures vary in height according to military ranking, with their uniforms, hairstyles, and even facial shapes and expressions following suit.

In addition to the 8,000 soldiers themselves, 130 ceramic chariots and 670 horses were also found in the necropolis. Similarly, clay figures of dancers, acrobats, and musicians were also unearthed, though these whimsical figures are greatly outnumbered by the stoic army.

Influence

Today, Qin Shi Huang’s necropolis is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major destination in China’s Shaanxi province.

While the vast majority of the terracotta soldiers remain on-site, ten have recently appeared in overseas exhibitions, allowing international audiences to see the sculptures in-person and offering “a new generation the rare chance to view the figures up close” (the Asian Art Museum).

Similarly, the sculptures also inspire contemporary artists, manifesting as reproductions made out of everything from pizza dough to paper lanterns. Regardless of material or motive, these modern reinterpretations prove the lasting legacy of the amazing ancient artifacts.